Melatonin and childhood sleep problems: what parents should know

Melatonin use in children is rising fast. But long-term safety data is limited and regulation varies wildly. Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

As families return to school-term routines, sleep difficulties often resurface. For many parents, particularly those raising children with neurodevelopmental conditions, melatonin has become a widely discussed option. Yet its growing use raises important questions about regulation, effectiveness and safety.

Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland in the brain.